Alaska by sea, rail or road?

[Flashback]

We're spending 10 days in Alaska and have been considering what we'll do when we arrive. Why are we flying there? Well, of course it was a nice ex-EU J fare around £1k return netting a healthy 920 TP in BA's Exec Club; a nice return to some more normal flying. We may as well have a holiday out of it too.

We've been considering cruises, but cruises still seem a bit up in the air and of course we would need to factor in starting in ANC whereas most of the cruises tend to start in SEA or YVR. You'd then also need to factor in a 1 way YVR/SEA-ANC at the end to pickup our flight back home.

So, maybe that is saved for another trip?

Then there's rail, Anchorage to Denali to Fairbank and return (or a combination of).

There are coach tours...........

There are self drive options..........

There are smaller day or 2 day options on fjord cruises etc.

Keen to get any insight from those who have done any of these options, what worked, what didn't and what would you absolutely recommend we do while there?

 

[Mwenenzi]

You do not say the time of the year.
I have travelled Anchorage to Denali by train (good) and then bus back to Anchorage
Denali is very good if you like the out doors/national parks. The park shuttle/bus trips can book out at times. If you are lucky FT trip reporter guru Seat 2A may be your green transit bus driver. Denali accommodation can be hard to get. Book early.

Are other 1 day train trips from Anchorage to Seward and the like .

Non-Narrated Transit Buses - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (what I went on)

Bus Tours - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

bus tours

www.nps.gov

 

[drron]

I would leave the cruise until next year. I have suggested my option on the Cruise thread.

What to Expect on Your Alaska Cruise - Custom Alaska Cruises

If you have ever taken a cruise on a traditional ship, your Alaska Cruise experience with Custom Alaska Cruises will be nothing like that. Learn more about us.

sikumi.com

We drove around Alaska for 8 days and thoroughly enjoyed it. Denali definitely worth at least a couple of days.
Another absolute highlight was Kennecott. We stayed in the lodge in Kennecott.You can drive in but a hairy gravel road and most rentals not allowed. Also no cars allowed in the 2 towns there. So we drove to Chitina and flew in with Wrangell air. That was in itself so worth it.

McCarthy & Kennicott, Alaska | How to Visit

Located in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Kennicott is Alaska's most famous ghost town, while McCarthy is a sister village, 5 miles away.

www.alaska.org

Kennicott & McCarthy, AK | Things to Do, Recreation, & Travel Information

Located in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Kennicott and McCarthy offer visitors a taste of Alaska’s historic mining era and outstanding recreational opportunities. Find information on things to do, Kennecott Mine, hiking, rafting, lodging, and driving the McCarthy Road.

www.travelalaska.com

 

[luxury-lizard]

@Flashback - here is an overview of a trip we did in 2012 - if you want a link to my full blog please PM me.

 

[Flashback]

Late May to early June for us, have been looking at a combo of rail and coach more than likely.

Thanks for all the suggestions, will have a look through and then had better get onto booking!

We do like the outdoors, so will be hoping to do some hiking while there.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Hi again @Flashback - you did not mention using a hire car to get around - highly recommended - also you may find your dates in some places are already heavily booked. Some people recommend hiring a camper van and there are plenty of them in Alaska - we looked at it but it's not really our style of travel

 

[Flashback]

Hi again @Flashback - you did not mention using a hire car to get around - highly recommended - also you may find your dates in some places are already heavily booked. Some people recommend hiring a camper van and there are plenty of them in Alaska - we looked at it but it's not really our style of travel

We've done a lot of driving around the rest of the US, so assuming rates aren't ridiculous there (like they seem to be everywhere since COVID hit) then it's definitely an option. We're hiring a car and driving around Iceland in a month so will be a good dry run for Alaska, similar terrain and such.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Driving is easy in Alaska - e.g. road from Anchorage to Denali is a 4 lane highway - other roads very good as well. Compared to the cost of the scenic train we found a hire car much more cost-effective and more flexible (of course rates will be very different than 2012).

 

[RB]

We absolutely loved the way our Alaskan trip went, especially using the Marine Highway. The road rtip from Skagway to Whitehorse was also an option we were very happy with. It is a long time ago but you might get a few ideas from my trip report. Zig Zag Around the US | Australian Frequent Flyer

 

[Flashback]

So far I'm finding zero car rental availability having searched all the majors (including consolidators). We may end up stuck having to do rail / coach / fly etc. The search continues....

Edit: Have found the odd car here and there, circa $2000 for an 11 day rental. Youch!

Fiesta with Budget, or a Chevy Suburban with Thrifty.

 

[UP4014]

It has to be rail doesn't it.......

Alaska Railroad | Alaskan Tours & Vacations | Train Packages

Experience the wild beauty of Alaska by train with the Alaska Railroad. See the latest train schedules, book tickets, and explore Alaskan train routes and excursions.

www.alaskarailroad.com

Book Alaska Shore Excursions with White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, sit back as we take you on a journey to see our splendid panorama of mountains, glaciers & gorges. Book direct!

wpyr.com

 

[Pushka]

So far I'm finding zero car rental availability having searched all the majors (including consolidators). We may end up stuck having to do rail / coach / fly etc. The search continues....

Edit: Have found the odd car here and there, circa $2000 for an 11 day rental. Youch!

Fiesta with Budget, or a Chevy Suburban with Thrifty.

Alaskan rail is excellent. You can get into Denali and then stay at the lodges and from there day trips on buses.

 

[tgh]

Diag o/t FB… but I would not use Blue car again in Iceland.
A very well used and tired disco that had a coolant light blinking away after we waited in a pick up line for 50 hours in the middle of an endless night.
For many interesting places in Iceland a 4x4 is essential and I would expect the same if seeking the roads less crowded with rv's and Coaches in Alaska

 

[justinbrett]

We've done a lot of driving around the rest of the US, so assuming rates aren't ridiculous there (like they seem to be everywhere since COVID hit) then it's definitely an option. We're hiring a car and driving around Iceland in a month so will be a good dry run for Alaska, similar terrain and such.

I just got back from a 14 day road trip in the US - it is very expensive. Just for a corolla sized car it cost me around A$200/day (just under $2800 for a 14 day rental including a US$300 one way fee). The base rate was US$109/day. That was pre-booked months in advance with a corporate discount code, most other companies were a lot more expensive and I kept an eye on prices at it got closer and it didn't go down.

Fuel is also expensive by US standards - averaging around $3.50/gallon (I did see it just under $3 in some places, whilst others it was over $4). Sounds cheap but that is around US$1/L - which accounting for conversion and tax is closer to A$1.50/L. Still cheaper than it is here, yes, but nowhere as cheap as it used to be.

 

[Flashback]

I just got back from a 14 day road trip in the US - it is very expensive. Just for a corolla sized car it cost me around A$200/day (just under $2800 for a 14 day rental including a US$300 one way fee). The base rate was US$109/day. That was pre-booked months in advance with a corporate discount code, most other companies were a lot more expensive and I kept an eye on prices at it got closer and it didn't go down.

Fuel is also expensive by US standards - averaging around $3.50/gallon (I did see it just under $3 in some places, whilst others it was over $4). Sounds cheap but that is around US$1/L - which accounting for conversion and tax is closer to A$1.50/L. Still cheaper than it is here, yes, but nowhere as cheap as it used to be.

California was around $4/Gallon from what I remember, so that doesn't sound too bad. Arizona was probably the cheapest on that trip.

$2k for a Suburban looks to be a pretty good option and my folks are thinking about fleeing WA as well to join us, so that might be the best option for a car. Seems to be about the going rate so not bad.

It doesn't look like you can drive much in Denali NP, so will drive to our accommodation and then jump on the busses that run, I remember similar from the Grand Canyon NP.

 

[justinbrett]

California was around $4/Gallon from what I remember, so that doesn't sound too bad. Arizona was probably the cheapest on that trip.

$2k for a Suburban looks to be a pretty good option and my folks are thinking about fleeing WA as well to join us, so that might be the best option for a car. Seems to be about the going rate so not bad.

It doesn't look like you can drive much in Denali NP, so will drive to our accommodation and then jump on the busses that run, I remember similar from the Grand Canyon NP.

Those prices were East coast. Prices in California are about $4.70 at the moment, they have a lot of excise compared to other states. That works out to be A$1.75/L which is pretty much the same as here.

In Jan 2017, the price in California was only $2.80/gallon.

 

[UP4014]

There are some good rental car deals at the moment, I guess it pays to shop around. I haven't tried turo.com but others tell if you want something a bit different it's not bad.

 

[Flashback]

There are some good rental car deals at the moment, I guess it pays to shop around. I haven't tried turo.com but others tell if you want something a bit different it's not bad.

Turo is like Airbnb, can have a last minute cancellation and no recourse. Not that the major car rental companies are any better in the US........

 

[Mwenenzi]

It doesn't look like you can drive much in Denali NP, so will drive to our accommodation and then jump on the busses that run, I remember similar from the Grand Canyon NP.

Private cars can only drive a short distance (15miles) into the park. The best parts are only by park bus: 2 types. Guided and unguided (green). Book these early & park gate accommodation early. Go to the far end Wonder Lake mile 85. Common for people to plan Alaska trips around these reservations.

Maps - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

DENA maps page

www.nps.gov

If your folks get out of WA will MarkMcG let then back!!

 

[Flashback]

You've also got something like these available which includes your car rental, plus rail and accommodation etc.

Grand Circle Self-Drive - Tour 1CB - Gray Line Alaska

www.graylinealaska.com

Alaska Highlights Vacation Tour | Roadtrip by Car | Self-Drive Route

Tour Alaska independently by car, visiting Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks and Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez, Whittier, and Seward.

alaskatours.com